Collateral Damage Daily for July 24

Nick Swisher is expected to miss the Mariners series with a hip flexor strain, though his hip is improving. … Erick Aybar was diagnosed with a hairline fracture of the big toe and may be placed on the DL. ... Josh Johnson had to leave yesterday’s start with a blister on his middle finger. … Ruben Tejada was spiked yesterday and had a couple of cuts on his ankle. No stitches were required, and he remained in the game.

Additions

Colby Lewis was placed on the disabled list yesterday because of his forearm tightness, but he got unsettling news. When he was checked out by the doctors again, it was feared that he suffered a UCL tear that would require Tommy John surgery. Further evaluation determined it was a torn flexor tendon, which overlays the ligament, and he would still need surgery to repair. The Rangers are going to evaluate the ligament at the time of the surgery and make a determination if Lewis needs Tommy John surgery as well. Isolated flexor tendon repairs average about seven to 10 months to heal in the database, but Lewis is expected to miss between nine and 12 months. If Tommy John surgery is needed as well, recoveries take at least 12 months. Martin Perez was called up to take Lewis’ roster spot.

While serving his suspension for using a fake identity and rehabbing in the minors, Juan Oviedo—formerly known as Leo Nunez— felt pain in his pitching elbow. Tests revealed an injured UCL, but it’s unclear whether he will undergo Tommy John surgery. He is not expected back in 2012.

Subtractions

Chad Billingsley was activated from the 15-day DL after spending the minimum 15 days on it with elbow inflammation. Flexor pronator tendinitis usually causes pitchers to miss more than 15 days, but Billingsley was adamant he would only miss the minimum. Billingsley came back to throw 100 pitches last night while only giving up one run, which is very encouraging moving forward. Josh Wall was optioned to Triple-A.